It’s a game of chess for Albanvale in the Western Football League division 2 competition.
The Cobras have started the season strongly with a 5-2 record but injuries have left them having to move the pieces around on field.
Cobras co-coach Anthony Montrose said it had been tricky the past few weeks.
“We have been derailed by injuries,” he said. “ We have lost three rucks in four weeks.
“We can’t take a trick with injuries after injuries.
“Our full back Matt Webster had to play in the ruck. We’ve got forwards having to play up the ground and defenders playing different roles.”
Montrose said while you always have injuries, it’s the type and what players they are to which makes the biggest difference.
He said they were missing at least a quarter of their best side at the moment through injuries and some work commitments on top of that.
“A lot of the reserves group has had to step up into seniors,” he said. “They’ve helped us out and tried to fill spots.
“The boys are giving it a good go.”
Montrose said they were hoping to get one of their rucks back after the break, but another has likely pulled the pin on their career.
While struggling with injuries Montrose said the group was showing a lot of resolve and fighting spirit.
“We lost one after another [against the Western Rams],” he said. “And they came really hard at us.
“They had kicked five or six goals into the win. We put it on the boys and they didn’t drop their heads. We had no bench left.
“They held on and came away with the win. They [Western Rams] hit the front and we dug deep to come back.
“The boys showed they could dig deep. They haven’t given up, they were four goals down against West Footscray as well.”
The Cobras were set to face Laverton on Saturday.
Speaking before the game, Montrose said they knew they were in for a big test with the Magpies having plenty of height which would test them.
The Cobras had a strong performance and came away with a 17.16 (118)-7.5 (47).
Montrose said they would take the start and the 5-2 record considering everything that has happened and the players who they’ve had out.
“We’ve been trying to get around the boys who have been putting in a big effort,” he said.
“There’s been so many changes.”
The Cobras have a bye this week with the long weekend.
Montrose said the bye came at a really good time for them with all their injuries to give the chance for some players to return and others the chance to rest and reset.
After the break, the tests then don’t get any bigger for the Cobras, who face ladder leaders Wyndhamvale.
